Back the Blue

Floor Speech

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Mrs. TORRES of California. Madam Speaker, as the mother of a Pomona police officer and former 911 dispatcher, I rise today to commemorate National Police Week. This week, we celebrate the heroes who don't make the headlines.

I know, from my son and other officers, how much our society expects from the law enforcement community. We expect these brave men and women to put themselves in harm's way and even endanger their own lives to keep us safe.

Our police officers are protectors, peacekeepers, and public servants, and I am proud to recognize them for what they do.

Law enforcement is a demanding and often thankless calling, and that is why I will always fight to give our public safety professionals the resources they need to carry out their duties.

As a 911 dispatcher for over 17 years, I answered calls from people in danger and helped make sure that Los Angeles police officers were in the right place at the right time with the right support they needed to keep the city safe.

Anyone calling for budget cuts to law enforcement, including our heroic Capitol Police, has clearly never heard the calls that I have.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have repeatedly called for and secured crucial funding for law enforcement and public safety in California's 35th Congressional District and across our country.

I have also introduced the 911 SAVES Act, which gives our 911 dispatchers the recognition they deserve by officially classifying them as emergency responders.

Law enforcement personnel must have the resources and support that they need to appropriately carry out their duties. I will always fight to ensure that they can uphold their sacred promise to protect and serve our communities.

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Mrs. TORRES of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for supporting the 911 SAVES Act over the years.

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